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Topics: Politics, US News, Sex and Relationships
Lucy Devine
Topics: Politics, US News, Sex and Relationships
A proposed bill regarding sex toys has kicked off a huge debate online.
Donald Trump's administration has sparked fury after a new law was proposed against sex toys, dubbed as waging 'war' on masturbation.
Known officially as Senate Bill 3003, the controversial proposal in question was introduced by state senator Angela Paxton, the wife of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
The proposed bill would require anyone purchasing a sex toy online to provide proof that they are 18 or older.
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Any person or business caught selling and distributing sex toys without implementing an age-verification process at the point of sale would be guilty of a Class A misdemeanour - an offence punishable by up to a year in jail and a hefty fine of $4,000 (£3,124).
In Texas, it's currently illegal to own more than six sex toys which have been branded as 'obscene devices', according to Texas Penal Code Section 43.23.
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The proposed law has caused widespread debate online, with many people left confused.
Some people have even compared the proposal to gun laws, with one person writing online: "Texas lets residents have more guns than vibrators?!"
While another said: "Why is it illegal to own more than 6 sex toys in Texas, but 6 guns is perfectly okay..."
And a third added: "How ridiculous are #America??? They have to lock up sex toys, but guns are okay. WTF."
Meanwhile, a fourth commented: "It's ILLEGAL for any single household in Texas to own more than 6 sex toys... NO limit on the number of guns."
A number of experts have spoken out about the proposed law, with Dr Shamyra Howard, a licensed clinical social worker sex educator for We-Vibe, telling the Dallas Observer: "Requiring ID to purchase a sex toy sends the message that pleasure is something to be policed and surveilled."
The expert said the decision 'pathologises something that is completely normal and turns a private, healthy act into something shameful.'
"This kind of legislation doesn’t protect people; it embarrasses them," she continued.
"It creates unnecessary barriers and reinforces harmful stigmas that many of us have spent years trying to dismantle."
Referencing the health benefits of using sex toys, the doctor outlined: "What’s often overlooked is that sex toys are not just about pleasure. They’re also part of comprehensive sexual wellness."
Pointing out that 'men used them too', she added: "There are devices designed to support pain management, pelvic floor health, sex toys even help people manage mental health issues through stress relief and help to re-establish intimacy after medical procedures or trauma."